New Line Cinema has partnered with production companies Walden Media and the Kennedy/Marshall Company to produce a feature adaptation of the popular Carl Hiaasen children's novel "Hoot."

Based on the Newbery Award-honored book which has become a New York Times bestseller, "Hoot" revolves around a young boy who moves to Florida where he tries to solve an ecological mystery involving endangered owls, an assortment of other unusual creatures, and group of eccentric adults.

Director/comedian Wil Shriner ("Frasier," "Becker"), will direct the film. Shriner also has written the initial draft of the film's script.

"'Hoot' is a classic book in the same vein as 'Holes' and 'Because of Winn-Dixie' that will only grow in popularity and importance in the years to come," said Walden Media CEO Cary Granat. "We are extremely grateful to Frank Marshall and Jimmy Buffett for bringing us onto this project as a partner, and look forward to working with them and New Line."

"Hoot" is being produced by Frank Marshall and Jimmy Buffett, who will also provide music for the film. New Line's Mark Kaufman and Michael Disco are overseeing the production for the studio while Doug Jones and Evan Turner are overseeing the project for Walden Media.

Note from the Editor:
This is much like "Because of Winn-Dixie." Writer was from Florida. Fictional town was in Florida. "Hoot" was written by a South Floridian (Hiassen) who currently writes for the Miami Herald. The story takes place in a fictional town in South Florida. One of the producers (Buffet) is from South Florida. Let's see what happens. Production is slated for June.